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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on February 9, 2012
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On the 8th of January our fearless leader and Wellness WA wunderkind, Annette, organized the very first Perth Online Beauty Media meeting of minds and faces at Djurra Day Spa in Fremantle. And what a day it was. Massages, foot treatments and raw pizza from the Raw Kitchen Fremantle (14/36 South Terrace) that was so unbelievably good that I would consider moving down there just to be closer to it. I’m pretty sure Annette has a photo somewhere of me that looks like I am inhaling my slice. WHAT A WHACKY GAL! (ED: Yup, I do!)
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The POBM was a wonderful day of chatting to like minded ladies about all things beauty…you probably gathered as much…so let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Everyone that attended was the lucky recipient of not one but TWO gift bags filled to the brim with products to try. So now that a couple of weeks have passed and I have been able to steadily make my way through everything I woke up this morning and felt something coming on…can you feel it too? That’s right it’s time for a TOP FIVE COUNTDOWN.
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5. Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear
I usually give sunscreen related products and moisturizers pretty high scores but don’t think that I am just phoning this one in on account of the SPF, which in this product is a 30+ by the way. The Invisible Zinc tinted daywear is my number 5 because I have never owned a tinted moisturizer before, let alone a tinted sunscreen. I just didn’t see the point. I mean I was right into the coloured zinc as a kid but unfortunately time, society and a small sense of dignity have told me to grow out of that. So what is the point?
Well here’s three points for you, one- the sun protection, two- the dewy appearance that it gives your skin with just a hint of tint, which I just love because you may not be a runway model but dewy skin sure makes you feel like one and three – if you use it in place of your normal moisturizer in the morning then you will never forget to put sunscreen on. And how about this… BONUS point 4- the anti ageing properties of this product will help to keep you looking fresh faced for longer.
Available from David Jones, Myer, Priceline, Terry White and all good pharmacies.
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4. Foltene Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatment – $27.95
This was one of the products from our mega beauty product swap, and is an odd choice for me. Largely due to the fact that I am still not sure that you can actually grow more eyelashes and eyebrows on top of what nature gave you, I just don’t understand the science behind it, surely DNA plays a role here or something? Beakers, Bunsen Burners, periodic tables, lab coats?…I don’t know. What I do know is that you condition your hair to keep that healthy so you can grow it long without it breaking off, or shriveling up, ergo the same basic principle can apply to your eyebrows and eyelashes. And that’s why this product is my number 4. It is very easy to apply because it’s just like a clear mascara wand, use it after you’ve washed your face at night and let the conditioning begin. The best unexpected benefit of this product is that when you use the wand on your eyebrows it actually holds them in place a bit which makes them look neater and a better shape which we all know is ultimately more flattering to your entire face. Bravo Foltene.
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3 &2. Aveda Colour Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner
After I washed and conditioned my hair with these Aveda products one of my housemates came home and said ‘what smells so good in here?’, we did a quick checklist, new perfume? No. Just cooked something? No. Just cleaned something? No…waitahotminute- yes, it’s my new shampoo and conditioner! The lovely smell that lingered in my house followed me around for days after (in my hair of course) causing compliments from friends and strangers alike. It just really does smell that damn good. Which makes sense when you consider the ingredients- green tea, grape seed, rosea root, pine bark, orange peel and jojoba seed oil. Because my hair is quite long now (I feel like I manage to drop this achievement into every review I do these days) I am all about conditioner, and the Aveda really steps up to the job on this one, my ends felt smooth and silky like I had just had a trim. Perfection. The only thing I can’t comment on is the ‘colour conserve’ factor because I don’t have coloured hair. If any of you with coloured ‘do’s give it a go please let me know how it fares!
Available at Djurra Day Spa, go in and see what other great hair and beauty services they offer!
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1. Franc Serum Intensive Skin Rescue – $72
Why have I never heard of Franc? A West Australian business based in Darlington and founded by Chantal Vanderhaeghen who has made a strong commitment to only using botanical ingredients in her products. This means no sodium laurel sulfate and no artificial colours, fragrances, chemicals or additives. I should’ve been on top of this ages ago! Oh Franc why did we take so long to find each other?!
Dewy skin, anyone?
I love serums, I love putting them on before bed and waking up in the morning with (sorry here’s those words again) nice fresh and dewy skin. I guess I just like the hydration factor. It feels good knowing you are putting a carefully formulated recipe of macadamia oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, carrot oil, rosehip oil, evening primrose oil and vitamin E on your face and not much else! My skin has felt really great lately and I’m sure using this every night has had a big role in that. Franc deserves this number one spot. I hope we meet again. Well done.
What do you think of my top 5 picks?!
Review by Adriane Daff, with sweet smelling hair, dewy skin and better eyelashes – thanks to POBM!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Products, Reviews | 
4 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on February 4, 2012
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Yours truly isn’t the biggest fan of music festivals, despite being a huge fan of music, the crowds, the craziness, the dirt, the heat and the standing for hours on end between bands you don’t-actually-want-to-see all leave me a grumpy mess about an hour in. But when you get to watch the band you came to see, then oh is it worth it.
I’ve long wished there was a way to make the bits I don’t like about festivals disappear… maybe get a massage or facial in between bands? A bit of a spruce up? Well kids this year Big Day Out goers are in luck because they’ve teamed up with the sweet smelling sugar doves at Lush and gone and made this happen!!!
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Think free face masks, massages, cool-down treatments and even bottles of their earthy smelling “Grass” shower gel for the washrooms. Pretty good. Even better is that these pamper sessions are FREE!!
So in between rocking out, jive on down (wrong era?) to the LUSH tent to chill out and get a little wellness into you while waiting for your fave band to play!
Check out www.bigdayout.com for more info on the event and let us know if you’re keen to check to get some festival style pampering!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in Events, Massage, Other | 2 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on January 30, 2012
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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m 26 years old and am a freelance makeup artist, you can check out my Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/GabriellaSidhuMakeUp and am also in my 3rd year of studying architecture at UWA. I love being creative!
Gabi at work
I have an amazing fiance and 2 gorgeous cats who act more like people! I have a pretty mixed background. I was born in Malaysia to an Irish mum (who spent a lot of her childhood in Kuwait) and an Indian/English Dad. We moved to Australia when I was 9.
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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine. (please include specifics about brands/products used)
It changes all the time but at the moment I am using:
1. MOKOSH Face Cleansing Powder (amazing Fremantle- based brand which is organic and fair trade) followed by
2. Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
3. Clarins Hydraquench Cooling Cream-Gel. (I use this in Summer and in Winter change to a thicker moisturiser)
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I have an auto-immune disease called Lupus which prevents me from staying out in the sun for more than 5 minutes at a time (if I do I get dizzy, sick, nauseous and fatigued) so I tend to get spray-tans quite a bit! I go to Beaute in Paris in Gwelup.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
My amazing hairdresser Sharon who now works from home and whom I’ve been seeing since I was 19. She is just amazing at hair and is so intuitive. My mum, sister, fiance, brother-in-law, 3 good friends, good friend’s mother and sister-in-law ALL go to her. I’m too selfish to give out her details because she is so busy already!!
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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
After going to Beauty College this summer, I now give myself manicures and pedicures which saves so much! I always make sure I take time out to do them and include a mask, exfoliation scrub and moisturiser. If anyone would like a mani or pedi I also do appointments so feel free to contact me!
♥ Moroccan Oil – RRP $49.50
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
1. The first one is actually a perfume! The Eau de Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez (Available from StrawberryNET for cheaps!). I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve purchased this!
2. St Tropez Bronzing Mousse and Face Tan (Can they count as one?). I’m not a tanorexic I promise, I just like to have a bit of colour. If anyone would like any hints for applying self tan:
♥ Wear gloves (I buy the bulk latex ones from the chemist)
♥ Make sure to exfoliate beforehand and don’t shave your legs (if you do) until AFTER you’ve applied the fake tan – for example the next morning. That way the tan doesn’t get into the hair follicle and you don’t have that “dotty” leg look!
3. Lastly, Moroccan Oil for my hair. I apply it to the tips everytime I wash my hair and it really does wonders for dryness and split ends.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Fake tan? Haha, I’m kidding!
They’re not really secret but drinking loads of water really does make you feel wonderful and your skin glows!
Getting regular massages also not only leaves you feeling amazing and relaxed but your skin looks great afterwards due to the increased circulation. I always get one where they use oils and try to leave the oil on for as long as possible afterwards so it soaks in and leaves the skin feeling moisturised and soft.
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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go on a spa weekend! The kind where you have every type of beauty treatment imaginable, eat only clean, fresh, detoxing food and spend it with great friends.
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
It is about to change as I have just started an Ayurvedic diet but it is normally:
Breakfast: Swiss muesli with greek yoghurt, berries, honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. I drink a tall glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar added in the mornings. Sounds disgusting but you get used to it!
Lunch: Generally a sandwich with a protein either chicken or fish and veggies.
Afternoon Snack: A smoothie – either a green smoothie or if I’m feeling like something heavier I will use banana, almond milk, oats, honey, cinnamon, ginger or along those lines.
Dinner: Usually an asian meal like a stir-fry or a curry/dahl.
I also tend to have something sweet after dinner like chocolate. I have such a sweet tooth!
I finish my night off with a calming cup of chamomile tea which is the only tea/coffee I drink throughout the day I’ve just realised!
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♥ Describe your fitness routine.
I don’t have a specific routine but again due to my Lupus I have to take it quite easy as my joints are quite arthritic. I stick to low-impact stuff like yoga, walking, cycling and swimming. I just need to make sure I do some everyday.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
As mentioned I’ve just started seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner so have been given some herbal concoctions to drink and oils to use externally so I can’t comment on how they work just yet! Up till now I have been taking Fish Oil and Glucosamine everyday (but have learnt that flaxseed oil would be a much better alternative for me), iron supplements, apple cider vinegar and valerian root, which helps allow you to have a good nights sleep.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Definitely a massage! Spending time with my fiance and cats also de-stresses me. I think being around people you love helps so much.
Thanks to Gabriella for taking the time to share her beauty & wellness routine with us! You can find her makeup services on Facebook!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews | 1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on January 23, 2012
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For someone who runs a website like this one, I really am quite abysmal at getting my hair cut and maintained to a pleasing standard. Massages, exercise classes, buying my lunch and restaurant dinners seem to drain the majority of my “extra money”, while my hair gets left being swooped up in a simple high pony tail day after day, only occasionally being privy to a hair straightener.
This year, I’m determined to make an extra effort to have “babe hair” more often than not, so with that in mind I headed down to Element Aveda Concept Salon in Subiaco for a cut, colour, blowdry & style AKA a complete overhaul. I had a 60’s themed night out planned too, so I was especially excited to have my hair styled.
When I phoned up to book the appointment I was a bit nervous, as I always am with hairdressers, but the guy who answered the phone was great and managed to book me in with Bree, the Creative Director for my whole sesh. Note to the uninitiated: seeing the Creative Director usually costs a bit of extra moolah, luckily for me it was worth it in this case!
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With my long scraggly mop in tow, I was greeted with cups of Aveda tea (so yummy once you get used to the unique taste!), hand massages and the signature “blue oil massage”. Bree and I decided to go with a chestnut colour, which has the gentlest of red tints to it, similar to my own hair colour but just a bit more oomph. Love the colour, but next time I think I will be a little more daring!
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For the cut, I wanted quite a bit off, but still a longish side fringe and the ability to make it a lil wavy. Check, check, check. Bree delivered all this and more and was fun to talk to. I ended up with an Alexa Chung-esque long bob with waves which I digged, and she even gave me a mini lesson on how to create GHD waves on my own… which I’ll try soon!
The whole experience was about 2 & 1/2 hours, and everyone was super friendly, I was kept hydrated and…THERE WAS A PUG IN THE SALON!
This certainly was a plus for me as I am wild about pups.
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I purchased the Aveda Brilliant Hair Spray ($39.95) which makes hair super shiny, gives a medium hold & contains black tea, certified organic chamomile, aloe and more! I found it kept my waves in well throughout a night of 60’s dancing!
So without further words…
Tah dah. New hair.
The total cost for my wash, cut, colour, blowdry/style & Brilliant Shine Hairspray was $265.
I will definitely be back!
Element Aveda Concept Salon
17 Rokeby Rd Subiaco WA 6008
(08) 9382 3004
Do you like the short hair or the long hair?! Love to hear your thoughts!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in Hairdresser, Products, Reviews, Western Suburbs | 13 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on January 1, 2012
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Merry New Year! 2012 is finally here and there is so much that I’d like to squeeze out of it, so I thought I’d share my goals with you, and I would love to hear your goals as well 🙂
Main Goals
♥ Develop my sense of style
When I was younger I had a pretty ‘interesting’ sense of style, I loved (and spent a lot of time) op shopping and putting together crazy outfits and would have a lot of fun wearing them. These days I tend to stick to a play-it-safe combo of jeans, teeshirt & converse shoes which, while comfortable, doesn’t totally showcase my best features or inspire much girly confidence. I plan to develop a killer selection of dresses and skirts that will allow me to try being a bit more feminine and fun with my style 🙂
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♥ Learn GHD waves / how to use a hair curler
I’ve never been able to create pretty wavy hair with a heat styling tool, this year I’d love to be able to mix that into my very limited hair styling repertoire!
♥ Work on my posture
Sitting at the computer for long periods of time means my posture needs some work, I plan to do lots of yoga and stretching, plus get regular massages to help keep my back and shoulders nice and relaxed.
♥ Find 2 new pairs of jeans I love
For some reason this is hard for me, I’m going to try and manifest some perfect jeans into my life this year! 😉
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♥ Go on a yoga retreat
I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now, head somewhere quiet for the weekend eat delicious wholesome food and practice a lot of yoga. This is the year!
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♥ Learn to swing dance
A few friends of mine swing dance, and they LOVE it! It looks like so much fun and I think taking up dancing again will be fantastic for my wellbeing and fitness.
♥ Be the best in my class at school
Given that I haven’t studied for about 10 years, I’m pretty nervous and incredibly excited about going back to school to study Public Relations. I am however very motivated to do well in the course and I aim to study my derriere off in order to achieve this goal.
♥ Spend time with one friend I haven’t seen for a while each week
This one is pretty self explanatory! I have so many fantastic people in my life, as I’m sure we all do, but sometimes it’s hard to find the time to catch up or easier to spend time with your ‘usual’ friends. This year I’m going to reach out to those I haven’t seen in a while and rekindle some friendship flames.
I have more, but those are the main ones! I would love to hear your goals for the year, or what you think of mine!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in Other | 2 Comments »
